Children’s books donated to schools, libraries

Children and families in the Cayman Islands can now enjoy reading the Adventures of Riley – Quest for Treasure in the Cayman Islands.

A case of copies of this book was personally donated by the writers/publishers to Education Minister Alden McLaughlin and Permanent Secretary Angela Martins, for use in schools and libraries.

Education Minister Alden McLaughlin accepts a copy of the Adventures of Riley from writers/publisher Amanda Lumry. Looking on are her husband Loren Wengerd and Permanent Secretary Angela Martins. Photo: Submitted

The book is written by Laura Hurwitz and Amanda Lumry – who also took the photographs. Illustrations are by Sarah McIntyre.

The Cayman edition is one of a series of Riley global adventure tales, and offers positive international exposure to young readers of the series, said a GIS press release.

The 36-page hardcover children’s book tells the story of a young boy who lives in a northern climate and is treated to a winter vacation with relatives in the Cayman Islands. Fascinated with stingrays, turtles and treasure, Riley is convinced that he has found genuine pirate’s treasure.

The resulting island adventures take him to locations including the beach, Stingray City and the Turtle Farm, as well as restaurants, submarine rides, sailing on a ‘pirates’ ship – and on a treasure hunt. The publication combines actual photographs with colourful drawings, which give a lasting impression of Cayman’s scenic areas.

The book also supports the environment, as it is available for purchase in select outlets, and a portion from all sales will be donated to the National Trust.

‘It is always encouraging to see positive international interest in our Islands,’ said Mr. McLaughlin. ‘It is my pleasure to make these books available for children all over Cayman to enjoy.’

The Adventures of Riley project combines a personal connection to these Islands with a desire to help in the rebuilding efforts, for Ms. Lumry and her family have been visiting the Cayman Islands for the Christmas and New Years holidays since she was 12 years old.

After receiving a degree in photography from Harvard University in 1999, she expressed her love of Cayman and its people by creating and publishing the popular coffee table book, Cayman: A Photographic Journey through the Islands. She followed that with this children’s picture book.

Amanda Lumry and her husband, Loren Wengerd, are founders of Eaglemont Press (www.eaglemontpress.com), a publishing house in Seattle, Washington.

In donating copies of the children’s book to Cayman’s schools and libraries, the couple stated, ‘We were extremely concerned by the damage caused by Hurricane Ivan, though we were equally heartened by the resolve and strength exhibited by the people of Cayman during rebuilding. The gift of our children’s books is one way we can tangibly help rebuild Cayman.’